We do the same, anything over 10 12 lbs we let them bleed out good, We have also theorized how much firmer and better meat a river cat has then a lake cat, especially the bigger, older ones, seems like the currents or something must keep them more active or something maybe, the lake caught catfish seem to be even fattier, and the meat was more mushy, not as solid, firm.
Makes sense to me. I'll have to harvest a couple catfish from Truman, say around Fairfield & a couple from the Sac or Osage & do a taste test sometime.
